Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder in patients who have had a myocardial infarction
Eyal Shemesh1, Maya Koren-Michowitz, Rachel Yehuda
1Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Box 1230, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA. eyal.shemesh@mssm.edu
Abstract:
Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and risk factors for recurrent ischemia were evaluated in 65 survivors of a myocardial infarction (MI) at baseline and 6 months afterward. PTSD patients had more uncontrolled cardiovascular risk factors at baseline. Patients with PTSD (N=14) were offered trauma-focused cognitive-behavior treatment (CBT) plus a nonspecific intervention to improve adherence to medical recommendations. Adherence to aspirin improved in recipients of the nonspecific intervention (N=8); PTSD symptoms and cardiovascular risk improved in patients who received CBT (N=6). PTSD may be a treatable risk factor for poor post-MI outcome. Further research is needed to evaluate treatment options.
Related Concept Videos
Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations
Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Acute Coronary Syndrome I: Introduction

